28 Jul 2021
London's Marble Arch Mound slated by visitors
BY Tom Walker
A new £2m visitor attraction at London's Marble Arch has been panned as "the worst in London" by some visitors, after failing to live up to expectations when planting failed to thrive after one of the hottest weeks ever recorded in the capital.
The Marble Arch Mound, first reported on by Attractions Management in February this year was designed by architects MVRDV, as part of plans to attract people back to the Oxford Street retailing area in the city, following the end of lockdown in the UK.
The 25m-tall attraction comprises a hollowed-out mountain containing an event space and has been marketed as offering visitors "views over the surrounding areas".
It was meant to offer an urban retreat in the form of a park-like landscape of grass and trees and was expected to attract around 200,000 people.
Scathing reviews on social media have led to the suspension of ticket sales as Westminster Council, which owns the attraction, admitted that due to "teething problems", parts of the attraction are not ready for visitors – including a lighting show for nighttime visitors and the landscaping, which has not had enough time to bed in, especially given the extreme weather.
It's thought the planting has been a victim of one of the hottest weeks on record in the UK.
The council has offered refunds to those who had already booked, while tickets can now only be purchased from the beginning of August.
"We're aware that elements of the Marble Arch Mound are not yet ready for visitors," the council said in a statement.
"We're working hard to resolve this over the next few days.
"In light of the delay, we're offering anybody who has booked a visit during the first week a return ticket free of charge so that they can enjoy the full experience including the Lightfield art installation, M&S Food, and the landscape once it has had time to bed in and grow.
"People who have visited the Mound, and people who are booked for the rest of the week (including the weekend), will be contacted and offered a refund and a free return ticket so they can see the Mound at its best.
"Anyone who has booked a visit this week can go up the Mound as planned and then still take advantage of the free return ticket.
"The Mound is a living building by design. We’ll continue to adapt and improve London’s newest outdoor attraction and resolve any teething problems as they emerge.
"We’re sorry for the delay and look forward to welcoming visitors when they’re ready to enjoy all the Mound has to offer."
Marble Arch is located adjacent to Oxford Street, Considered Europe’s busiest shopping street. The area has been hit particularly hard by COVID-19 measures and the Marble Arch Mound was part of a strategy to rejuvenate its fortunes.
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